Cuba Expects three million Tourists in 2013

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) — Cuba has the needed infrastructure to receive more than three million tourists in 2013, said Manuel Marrero, Cuban Minister of Tourism.

Marrero stated that his ministry has worked intensively to create the optimum conditions for a successful next year´s tourism season.

He acknowledged this sector went through difficulties, such as marketing inefficiencies by hotels and travel agencies; cruise suspension coming from Europe, emigrant arrivals from the United States decreased and the negative impact of the economic crisis in Spain and Italy, among others.

“We are working in many ways to overcome these issues and thus we are making a rigorous study of markets and competition,” Marrero told Prensa Latina news agency.

“Today we have a new vision of non-state tourism, since we don´t see it as a competitor, but a complement to state tourism,” he said.

There are more than 1700 “paladares” (private restaurants), over 4,280 rooms for tourists and more than 700 full houses for rent, all this is part of the non-state tourism, which is characterized by a very high quality service mostly preferred by Spanish, Italian and British tourists.

The private taxis, the colonial carriages, the craft sales fair, well liked by tourists because in some cases visitors can see the artist working in real time, are other examples of non-state tourism.

Marrero added that some self-employed persons are also starting to work in state facilities, mainly engaged in animation, photography and party planning. He also made a call to ensure efficient by means of a proper investment process for materials and supplies to arrive in time, to avoid delays in projects.